Nottingham High School
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Nottingham High School

Motto	Lauda Finem
Established	1513
Type	Public
Founder	Dame Agnes Mellers, Sir Thomas Lovell & King Henry VIII
Headmaster	Kevin Fear
Students	850 (approx.)
Location	Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
Website	www.nottinghamhigh.co.uk

Nottingham High School is a UK independent fee-paying boys' public school situated about a mile north of Nottingham city centre. It has around 900 pupils from ages 11 to 18 and there is the adjoining Nottingham High Junior School catering for younger boys and, from September 2008, the Lovell House Infant School, meaning that boys may be educated at Nottingham High School from the age of 4 years to 18.

The present Headmaster is Kevin Fear, who succeeded Christopher Parker in April 2007.

The school was founded as the 'Free School' in 1513 by Dame Agnes Mellers, after whom one of the four school houses is named, although it is not clear whether this was a new institution or a refoundation or endowment of an existing school (of which records exist as far back as 1289^[1]). The other three houses are named Cooper's, after Frederick Cooper (an artist who in 1872 donated almost two acres of land to the school^[1]), Maples', after Samuel Maples (a former pupil who in 1892 bequeathed £3000 to found scholarships in his name^[1]), and White's, after Sir Thomas White (founder of St John's College, Oxford and sometime Lord Mayor of London, who endowed a charity to provide interest-free loans to 'young men of good name and thrift' in the Midlands – some money from this fund was lent to the school in slightly questionable circumstances during the middle of the 19th century^[1]). The Houses compete to win the Wheeler Cup.

Senior Management Team

• Kevin Fear – Headmaster
• Dr Paul Sibly – Deputy Headmaster
• D. M. Williamson – Deputy Head (Academic)
• Les Wilkinson – Senior Master
• Rob Dunmore – Director of Finance and Estates
• Andrew Earnshaw – Headmaster of the Junior School

Housemasters

• Paul Morris – Housemaster of White's House and Senior Housemaster
• Andrew Winter – Housemaster of Cooper's House
• Richard Willan – Housemaster of Maples' House
• Roger Kilby – Housemaster of Mellers' House

Current School Officers

• Oliver Kenny– Captain of the School
• James Banks – Vice Captain of the School
• Tom Donovan – Vice Captain of the School
• Duncan McGill – Captain of Cooper's House
• Josh Holbrook – Vice Captain of Cooper's House
• Andrew Smith – Captain of Maples' House
• Richard Hanford – Vice Captain of Maples' House
• Nick Millington – Captain of Mellers' House
• David Sherwood – Vice Captain of Mellers' House
• Tom Duffy – Captain of White's House
• Hussam El-Sheikh – Vice Captain of White's House

School History

Dame Agnes Mellers founded Nottingham High School in 1513,^[1][2] after the death of her husband, Richard, partly in his memory, but also as an act of atonement for his several wrongdoings against the people of Nottingham. In order to do this she enlisted the help of Sir Thomas Lovell, who was both the Governor of Nottingham Castle and Secretary to the Treasury. As a result of their combined efforts, King Henry VIII sealed the school’s foundation deed on the 22 November of that year.

Since 1868 the school has been located high on Waverley Mount to the north of the city centre,^[3] looking down towards the site of its foundation in St. Mary’s Church and its continuance in Stoney Street. There has subsequently been a long programme of building and development, resulting in the modern site.

War Memorial Enscription

In the Foundation Deed, Mellers provided that a Commemoration Service should be held in St Mary's Church "on the Feast of The Translation of St Richard of Chichester, namely 16 June" each year.^[1] With the exception of the Goose Fair, it is the most ancient ceremonial event still perpetuated in the City of Nottingham,^[4] and the oldest which is still largely in its original form (the Goose Fair is now a funfair rather than a livestock fair), although there seems to be no record of it being held between the middle of the sixteenth century and its modern revival in 1923.^[1] The formal procession is an important part of Founder's Day and seeks to symbolise the ancient links the School has with the Crown, the City and the Church. The Foundation Deed also provides for the distribution (out of a total sum of 20 shillings) of certain moneys to the Lord Mayor, Vicar and others and for the purchase of bread, cheese and ale for consumption by the officials attending the Service. Any balance remaining is required to be given to the poorest scholar but now is given to a representative scholar of the School.

The annual Remembrance Day service on November 11 is attended by the whole School with the Headmaster, President of the Old Nottinghamians and the School Captain placing wreaths at the war memorial. The inscription on the statue is particularly poignant.

The Latin inscription on the School Arms is 'Lauda Finem', praise to the end. More recently, the school has also adopted the informal motto 'T.E.A.M.', Together Everyone Achieves More.

Masters of the School

* Resigned or retired
† Died in office
‡ Never assumed post

Brian Garnett (headmaster 1565–c.1575) is notable for being the father of the Jesuit priest Henry Garnett, who was executed for his involvement in the Gunpowder Plot.

School Hymn

School Buildings

The original main school building consists of the tower and 3 wings: the west wing, middle corridor and the east wing. The west wing mainly houses classrooms for Mathematics, English, Geography and Modern Languages, as well as some administration offices. The first year form rooms are also located on the ground floor. The middle corridor houses the ICT centre, language laboratory and Religious Studies as well as two multipurpose lecture theatres, the upper and lower school libraries, and the senior management team and support staff offices. Also located in this section of the School is the learning support department, which particularly supports pupils with specific learning difficulties. The east wing comprises the sixth form centre, the old gymnasium, the Player Hall (where assemblies are usually held), and a number of classrooms for teaching Modern Languages, History and Latin. The front of the School is a Grade 1 listed building, and certain other interior features are also Grade 1 listed (the library arches, for example).

The south side of the School showing the war memorial

Player Hall

The school sports hall, built in 1989 on the site of the old fives court and CCF^[5] shooting range is located in the North East corner of the site. It contains an exercise hall, used for a wide range of sports, and fitness room: available for use by Years 10-13 after an introductory session outlining relevant safety information.

In the North West corner is the Harry Djanogly Design and Technology centre, built in the mid-1990s, replacing a large green shed which had been used for storing CCF equipment. This has recently been extended to include the school's new art block on the 1st floor. Previously, the art rooms had been situated on the top floor of the North block, until these classrooms were changed into normal lesson classrooms in 2003/2004. This building has now been renamed the Harry Djanogly Art, Design and Technology centre.

To the West, next to the Junior School, the dining hall, and a small two-classroom building named University House, lies the Founder Hall building, built in 1963 to commemorate the school's 450th anniversary, which includes the swimming pool (below ground level) and the Founder Hall itself, where school plays are performed and assemblies take place, when the Player Hall is being used for GCSE examinations.

To the South West there is the Simon Djanogly Science Building, where the laboratories for all three Sciences are based. There is also a sixth form science library in the complex and the CCF Shooting Range in the basement. It has about 15 science labs.

War memorial at the south gates

Also situated to the South West (in front of the science block) is the purpose-built Music School, named after Harry Djanogly's wife Lady Carol, completed in 1997 (replacing the previous building, which had originally been the school dining hall), overlooking the front lawns. This complex houses a Recital Hall, music classroom, recording studio and numerous practice-rooms (which are used for individual instrumental lessons).

In the south east corner is the White House, where Economics and Politics are taught to sixth formers.

Music Block

In the past the tower that overlooks the City was used as the Prefects' discipline room. Since then part of the tower has been restored and is used as a staff office. It is still used as an access point to the top of the tower from which the School Standard and the Union Jack are raised on special occasions, such as Founder's Day and the Queen's Birthday.

Outside the school walls, the school also occupies an old garage that is accessible from behind the Art & Design Block. It is used as storage for Duke of Edinburgh and adventurous training and also as a workshop for the maintenance staff.

In late 2006 the school did a major upgrade of site security. All entrances now have electronic gates opened by a key card or by the newly employed security guard. CCTV covers a majority of the site.

The school recently announced some more significant improvement works which will include the building of a new dining hall and sixth form centre. These plans are currently under review by the local council after initial plans were refused, but the project is expected to be completed for use in 2009.

The school's games field is not on the main site but instead at Valley Road, approximately 3 miles to the north. The Valley Road sports field features a number of rugby pitches and posts during winter, which are converted for athletics in the spring, with a running track and shot put, javelin, discus, pole vault, hurdles and high jump areas. During the summer the ground is used for cricket, with nets and squares created for the season. The pavilion features a number of changing rooms on the ground and first floors, and a refreshment area for staff and guests.

The school recently acquired the Waverly House School to the West of the main site. This will be refurbished and renamed the Lovell House Infant School which will be open to boys from ages of 4 to 7 from September 2008. Current pupils will continue their education there under the new management of the main school.

Prefects

The second volume of the Prefects' Minute Book begins:

It continues:

The Prefect body form an important and ancient institution within the School. Prefects are the School's principal representatives of its values. The School looks to the Prefect body to set an example both to other Sixth Formers and to other members of the School as a whole. A Prefect is required to perform a number of duties during the School week, this might include supervision of the Dining Hall, for example. All Prefects are required to assist on days of importance to the School, including Founder's Day, Speech Day, Open Day and entrance examinations. Historically the Tower was the exclusive domain of the Prefects. Within its walls solemn meetings were held and the daily round of canings distributed, to be performed in the presence of the School Captain. Presently the Prefects have the sanction of awarding a blue disciplinary ticket to boys in Years 7 to 11. This ticket carries the same consideration as a ticket issued by a member of staff. In an era turning away from old, strict and inflexible ways the Prefects voted to remove their right to cane. So moved was the then headmaster Ken Imeson, that he not only changed the rules regarding them, but also resolved never to use corporal punishment again himself^[2]. The School Captain is responsible for the conduct of the Prefect body to the Senior Master with regard to matters concerning duties, to the Deputy Headmaster with regard to discipline, and, ultimately to the Headmaster in all matters.

Assistant Prefects are appointed from the Lower Sixth in the Autumn Term and are allocated duties which usually commence in the Spring Term. The performance of individual Prefects is reviewed, and normally without exception Assistant Prefects are appointed Prefects in the Summer Term. At this time, Prefects who have served the School with particular distinction are appointed to Offices within the School, most notably the Captain of the School, the Vice-Captains of the School and the Captains of Houses. At this time Prefects are presented with the silver Prefects' tie and the Officers with the Officers' tie. The ceremonial inauguration of the incoming Prefect body and Officers occurs in June on Founder's Day when the incoming School Captain and Vice-Captains present an offering on the altar of St Mary's Church. Most recently, students in the Lower Sixth are asked to volunteer to be prefects and are then assessed on their duties in the spring term.

The prefect selection system is to change, however. From the school year of 2007/2008, Lower Sixth students will be asked to volunteer to be prefects. They will then go through the normal probation period and selection to full prefects.

An Executive Committee of the School, consisting of the School Officers and House Captains meets at least once a term with the Deputy Headmasters, the Senior Master and Head of Sixth Form. The principal functions of the Committee are to respond to disciplinary problems perceived by the Prefects in carrying out their duties, to respond to the needs of staff in the way that duties and the Prefects' disciplinary role is carried out and to act as a forum for debate on future projects or needs of the School.

Wheeler Cup

The Wheeler Cup is the most prestigious competition in the School, and is the ultimate prize based on the cumulative performance in House competitions throughout the school year. Presently the Wheeler Cup is contested through; chess, hockey, cross country, rugby, bridge, swimming standards, shooting, swimming gala, cricket, general knowledge, bridge cup (individual verse speaking, verse speaking choirs, singing choirs and individual music), athletics standards and sports day. The Wheeler Cup is the final presentation on Speech Day and is presented to the former House Captain and House Vice-Captain. The brackets indicate the successful Captain and Vice-Captain.^[6]

• 1995/1996 - White's
• 1996/1997 - Cooper's & Maples'
• 1997/1998 - Cooper's
• 1998/1999 - Cooper's (Alex Hudson & Jordan Speed)
• 1999/2000 - Cooper's
• 2000/2001 - Cooper's (Richard Wild & Robert Steel)
• 2001/2002 - Cooper's (Paul Webster & Charles Hogg)
• 2002/2003 - Cooper's (Josh Hudson & James Kinman)
• 2003/2004 - Maples' (Chris Wright & John Cartman)
• 2004/2005 - Cooper's (Annand Desai & Daniel Sedgewick)
• 2005/2006 - Cooper's (Matt O'Grady & Greg Bramhall)
• 2006/2007 - White's (Patrick Holden & Andrew Bath)
• 2007/2008 - Cooper's (Duncan McGill & Josh Holbrook)

School uniform

In Years 7 to 11 the uniform consists of a black blazer bearing the school crest, black or charcoal grey trousers, white or grey shirt, black shoes, house tie, and black, grey or navy blue socks. It is also possible to wear a jumper under the blazer. This is usually grey with white and black around the neck, or if the pupil has represented the school in sport, it may be black and bear the school coat of arms.

In the sixth form students wear a Black, Grey or Navy Blue suit with any colour shirt, except black.

Ties

Junior School tie, House tie (Whites), Lovell Order tie

Ties are an important feature of the school^[5] and are used to award particularly meritorious contributions to the School and to distinguish a pupil's status within the school. Pupils in the Junior School wear a tie with alternating black and white stripes. They may also wear the Junior School centenary tie which is black with yellow stripes. Pupils in years 7 to 11 wear a black tie with narrow white stripes and an additional narrow stripe of colour denoting their respective house: Cooper's is blue, Maples', green, Mellers', purple and White's, red. Sixth formers wear a white tie with narrow double black stripes.

House ties.

Other ties include:

• Foundation - A black tie bearing a red squirrel holding a ducal coronet (the crest from the school's coat of arms). Presented to a representative scholar (usually from Year 7) on Founder's Day, also to any pupil who has attained high performance in public examinations (at least ten grade As at GCSE or three As at A-Level), and to teachers upon completion of ten years' service. Often referred to as the 'Squirrel tie' or the 'Tufty tie', the latter after the safety-conscious red squirrel from a long-running series of public service adverts broadcast on behalf of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

• Lovell Order - Black, bearing the arms of Sir Thomas Lovell, a founder and benefactor of the school, and sometime Speaker of the House of Commons. Awarded to those who have performed some meritorious service to the school, such as librarians, the choir, orchestra and band secretaries, society officials and the stage staff; also to teachers who have completed twenty years' service. Sometimes referred to, somewhat unkindly, as the 'grovel order'.

• Sports Colours - White with narrow diagonal black and yellow stripes. Awarded for high sporting achievement, typically representing the school at first team level (usually for sports, although members of the chess, bridge, general knowledge and shooting teams have been awarded them on occasions).

• Music Colours - Essentially the same style as sports colours. First awarded in 2007, in recognition of outstanding contributions to school music. Afforded the same value as sporting colours.

• Third XV - Black with orange stripes. Awarded to members of the school rugby third XV.

• Prefects - Silver (actually very fine silver and black checked). Awarded to School (full) prefects, but not to House (assistant) Prefects.

• Officers - Black with red stripes, bordered by white bands with the school coat of arms at top. Presented, since 2005, to Officers of the School (School Captain, School Vice-Captains and House Captains) to distinguish their seniority.

School expeditions

Expeditions abroad have taken pupils to:

• New Zealand rugby tour (2008)
• South Africa rugby tour (2006)
• Ecuador & Galapagos^[7]
• Morocco
• Malawi
• Indonesia
• India
• Belize
• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Croatia
• Ireland
• Vietnam
• Norway
• Tanzania
• France
• Germany
• Egypt
• India
• Greece
• Rome

Filming

The front steps of Nottingham High School were used as a location for the 2002 film Anita and Me and are shown for a short time within the film.

Parts of a 1990 episode of the television series Boon, starring Michael Elphick, were filmed at the school, and featured a number of pupils as extras. The story in question was titled Bully Boys, the sixth episode of the fifth series, and was broadcast on 1990-10-30. The main playground, the Bridge Library (now the library reception) and the Valley Road playing fields, in particular, were shown.

Old Nottinghamians

The title Old Nottinghamian is granted to all former members of staff and pupils of Nottingham High School. All are entitled to use the post-nominal ON, by virtue of the order of Henry VIII on the School's foundation charter of 1513.[1]

Arts and Broadcasting

• Kenneth Adam, Controller of the BBC
• Malcolm Balen, author and broadcaster ^[8]
• Michael Bywater, writer and broadcaster
• Jonathan Charles, BBC Foreign Correspondent
• Leslie Crowther, comedian and quiz show host
• Trevor Dann, broadcaster and producer of the 1985 Live Aid concert
• D. H. Lawrence^[9], writer
• Simon Miller, writer/director
• Geoffrey Trease, author

Academia

• The Very Reverend Dr Eric Abbott KCVO, Warden of Keble College, Oxford, Dean of Westminster
• Professor Christopher Calladine FRS
• Professor Raymond Freeman FRS
• Professor Frank Nabarro FRS, solid-state physicist
• Professor Thomas Wingate Todd^[10], American anthropologist
• Dr Robert Macfarlane, fellow of Emmanuel College Cambridge, and author of Mountains of the Mind (which won The Guardian First Book Award) and Wild Places.

The Armed Forces

• Albert Ball, the first Royal Flying Corps winner of the Victoria Cross
• Theodore Hardy, (former master) non-combatant chaplain during the Great War, awarded the Victoria Cross

Sports

• Andy Turner, Professional sprinter
• Tom Groves Professional Footballer at Southampton and former England under 19 football captain
• Lee Jackson Iron Man Coach
• Anthony Douglas Great Britain Short Track Speed Skating Team.

Politics

• Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, Labour Member of Parliament (United Kingdom), current Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, former Economic Secretary to the Treasury.
• Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke QC MP^[5], former Chancellor of the Exchequer and perennial Conservative Party leadership candidate
• Edward Davey MP^[11], Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament, Liberal Democrat Chief of Staff.
• Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP, Current Chief Whip and former Minister of State for Europe,Secretary of State for Defence and Leader of the House of Commons
• Piers Merchant former Conservative Member of Parliament, resigned in disgrace in 1997

Civil and Diplomatic Service

• Sir Peter Gregson KCB, former Permanent Secretary of the Department for Trade and Industry
• Sir Richard Lloyd-Jones KCB, former Permanent Secretary of the Welsh Office
• Lord Richardson of Duntisborne KG, sometime Governor of the Bank of England
• Sir Douglas Wass GCB, sometime Permanent Secretary of the Treasury and Head of the Home Civil Service
• G. O. Whittaker OBE, Governor of Anguilla
• Norman Turner CBE, Official Solicitor 1970–1980^[12]

Commerce

• Jesse Boot later Lord Trent, founder of the chemist's Boots (now the Boots Group)
• Frank Bowden engineer and businessman, founder of Raleigh Bicycle Company, inventor of the Bowden Cable
• John Player, tobacconist (John Player & Sons)

Science and Technology

• J. P. Knight, inventor of the traffic light

See also

• Nottingham High School for Girls
• List of post-nominal letters

External links

• Official school website
• Old Nottinghamians

References